Armed Suspect Stabs K9 Officer During Police Shooting In Fullerton

FULLERTON (CBSLA.com) — A knife-wielding suspect has stabbed a K9 officer during a police shooting in Fullerton, authorities said Wednesday.

Around 1 a.m., officers were sent to the 1100 block of East Chapman Avenue for report of a man brandishing a weapon, according to the Fullerton Police Department.

Upon their arrival, authorities located Jimmy Lastra, 42, of Artesia, who was armed with a knife.

"[Mr. Lastra] repeatedly refused commands to drop the knife and officers used non-lethal sponge rounds in attempts to disarm [him]," said Sgt. Kathryn Hamel. "[When he] still refused to comply with commands to drop his weapon, K9 Rotar was deployed in an attempt to take Mr. Lastra into custody."

According to police, Lastra then proceeded to stab Rotar. An officer-involved shooting subsequently occurred.

Police shot Lastra in his upper torso. Paramedics transported him to a local trauma center for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

Rotar, a 3.5-year-old Golden Shepherd, was treated for minor stab wounds at Yorba Regional Animal Hospital. He is expected to return to work in about a week, police said.

No officers sustained injuries during the shooting.

Lastra has an outstanding warrant for his arrest for assault and battery. He is facing several charges related to this incident.

The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information about this incident has been urged to contact the Fullerton Police Department at (714) 738-6800.